Section 55: Pollution of port

55. Pollution of port (1) Any person who, without the consent of the Authority— (a) causes or permits any polluting substance or waste to be discharged into a port; or (b) causes or permits any polluting substance or waste to be deposited on port premises, shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 10,000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years. (2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), if any polluting substance or waste is discharged from a vessel into a port without the consent of the Authority, the owner or master of the vessel shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 150,000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 4 years. (3) If any polluting substance or waste is discharged into a port or deposited on port premises without the consent of the Authority, the person who caused or permitted the discharge or deposit or the owner or master of a vessel from which the discharge occurred shall be liable to pay the cost of any measures taken by the Authority in removing or eliminating the polluting substance or waste and in remedying any damage caused by it. P14 – 25 [Issue 1] Ports Act (4) The Authority may require the owner or master of a vessel from which any polluting substance or waste is discharged into a port without its consent to provide a bank deposit, bond or other valid security covering the amount of any cost likely to be incurred under subsection (3).